Explanation
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate $52,656.72 in the Public Safety Initiative subfund for the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Divisions of Police and Fire, to purchase automated external defibrillators and associated training materials. In April 2019, the Heartsafe Columbus taskforce announced its recommendations for actions to be taken through partnerships both within the City, and with external stakeholders. One of these recommendations was to increase the availability of automated external defibrillators and increase the likelihood that one is available within a few minutes of a cardiac event to treat a victim.
With this ordinance, the Division of Police will be able to purchase thirty (30) defibrillators to place in patrol cars that operate in the Hilltop, Linden, and the Southside, three areas that have been identified by the Division of Fire Emergency Medical Services as areas with high instances of cardiac arrest. The Divisions of Police and Fire will also make use of associated materials, such as training mannequins, in order to provide trainings to external groups and organizations on life-techniques and equipment, including CPR and defibrillator use. This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $52,656.72 within the Public Safety Initiative subfund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to ensure that Columbus Police and Fire have the requisite life-saving equipment to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation is $52,656.72 and is available in the 2019 budget within the Neighborhood Initiative subfund, Fund 1000-100016.
Title
To appropriate $52,656.72 within the Public Safety Initiative subfund for the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Divisions of Police and Fire, to purchase automated external defibrillators and associated training materials, and to declare an emergency. ($52,656.72)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety is part of a larger effort to lower the mortality rate resulting from cardiac arrest through the HeartSafe Columbus taskforce; and,
WHEREAS, the Division of Fire Emergency Medical Services has identified areas of the City with high instances of cardiac arrest; and,
WHEREAS, the Division of Police is prepared to expand the use of automated defibrillators in patrol vehicles in event of first contact with cardiac arrest victims; and,
WHEREAS, the Divisions of Police and Fire also have need for associated training materials to educate the public on defibrillators and other live-saving techniques and equipment; and,
WHEREAS, $52,656.72 is available in the Public Safety Initiative Fund for appropriation to provide for this need; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, in that it is necessary to purchase defibrillators and associated training materials for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That $52,656.72 is hereby appropriated within Fund 1000-100016 Public Safety Initiative subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2: That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3: That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.